Bahá’í

A statement of the Bahá’í
International Community to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in
Paris, France

PARIS—23
November 2015

Anthropogenic climate change is not inevitable; humanity
chooses its relationships with the natural world. This lies at the heart of the
2015 Paris Climate Conference (COP 21), the efforts of which are, in many ways,
focused on identifying means by which better choices can be made. The current
global order has often approached the natural world as a reservoir of material
resources to be exploited. The grave consequences of this paradigm have become
all too apparent, and more balanced relationships among the peoples of the
world and the planet are clearly needed. The question today is how new patterns
of action and interaction can best be established, both individually and
collectively, through personal choices, social systems, and governing
institutions.

With the adoption of the United Nations’ 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its social, economic and
environmental dimensions, momentum for meaningful change has been building. A
universal, legally binding agreement on carbon emissions seems within reach for
the first time. Yet sustainability is defined as much by human and social
factors as ecological ones. Correlation has been found, for example, between
inequality and environmental degradation[1],
suggesting that the relationships linking human beings with one another have a
direct impact on the physical resources of the planet. The global systems that
have left many facing poverty and want, have similarly impoverished the natural
environment.

A more balanced attitude toward the environment
must therefore address human conditions as consciously as it does natural ones.
It must be embodied in social norms and patterns of action characterized by
justice and equity. On this foundation can be built an evolving vision of our
common future together. And that vision, in turn, stands as a powerful
mechanism for mobilizing action around the world and coordinating numerous
efforts into mutually-reinforcing lines of action.

Foundations for a New
Consciousness

Setting humanity on a more sustainable path to
the future involves transformation in attitudes and actions. Reform of
institutional structures will be critical, and indeed this is a central focus
of those gathered at COP 21. Yet ultimately it is people, whatever their role
or place in society, who implement the policies of a central administration or
ignore them, who participate in well-conceived programs or continue patterns of
life as before. We all have agency and none of our decisions are without
consequence. Establishing sustainable patterns of individual and collective
life will therefore require not only new technologies, but also a new
consciousness in human beings, including a new conception of ourselves and our place
in the world.

From where will this consciousness arise? And
where will the volition and self-discipline needed to embody it in countless
cities, towns, and villages be found? Qualities such as the capacity to
sacrifice for the well-being of the whole, to trust and be trustworthy, to find
contentment, to give freely and generously to others derive not from mere
pragmatism or political expediency. Rather they arise from the deepest sources
of human inspiration and motivation. In this, faith has shown itself to be key,
whether in the efficacy of sustainability efforts or the capacity of the human
race.

Of particular note is the role to be played by
religious faith. Religion has been a feature of human civilization since the
dawn of recorded history, and has prompted countless multitudes to arise and
exert themselves for the well-being of others. Religion offers an understanding
of human existence and development that lifts the eye from
the rocky path to the distant horizon. And when true to the spirit of its
transcendent founders, religion has been one of the most powerful forces for
the creation of new and beneficial patterns of individual and collective life.

Religion therefore offers a vital source of
commitment to new and potentially challenging patterns of daily life. It is
notable that religious leaders and faith-based organizations have been
increasingly active on environmental and justice issues as they relate to
climate change. But religious conviction does not automatically translate into
service to the common good. It is entirely possible, for example, to have a
congregation of well-intentioned adherents whose actions do little to
contribute to the betterment of society. Clearly there is much to learn about
how noble ideals become expressed in committed, sustained action. In this
sense, religious communities can be understood as communities of practice in
which spiritual teachings are translated into social reality. Within them, a
process of capacity building that enables people of all backgrounds to
participate in the transformation of society can be set in motion. How this
unfolds in different contexts and cultures promises to be an area of rich
exploration for all working on sustainability issues.

Identifying the spiritual principles at the root
of ecological challenges can also be key in formulating effective action.
Principles– that humanity constitutes but a single people, for example,
or that justice demands universal participation in the work of sustainable
development – reflect the rich complexity of human nature. Just as importantly,
they help foster the will and the aspiration needed to facilitate the
implementation of pragmatic measures. Identifying the principles underlying
given issues and formulating action in light of their imperatives is therefore
a methodology that all can benefit from and contribute to – those in
traditionally religious roles, but also leaders of government, the corporate
sector, civil society, and others involved in the formulation of public policy.

A Basis for Collective
Action

Action on issues of sustainability is often
grounded in the sentiment that we all live on the same planet. Of course shared
concerns such as climate change, transnational migration, and global pandemics
are not to be discounted. But truly transforming individual and collective
patterns of life will require a much deeper appreciation of the
interconnectedness of the planetary biosphere. People and the environment are
inter-connected aspects of one organically integrated system. At this point in
history, neither can be accurately understood in isolation from the
other.

Implicit in this understanding is the organic
oneness of the human race itself. Deceptively simple in popular discourse, the
concept that humanity constitutes a single people has numerous implications for
the formulation of effective action at all levels. COP 21, for example, can be
understood as an opportunity to embrace more deeply the practical implications
of the oneness of humanity, including the obligation to translate our moral
responsibility toward one another and the natural world into tangible
agreements, approaches, and plans of action.

A rich and deepening consciousness of the
oneness of humankind is the only way that the obstacles inherent in dichotomies
like rich/poor, north/south, developed/developing can be overcome. Designations
of this kind are not without basis, for some countries do have
more financial resources than others. But while such realities are not to be
denied, neither should they be allowed to paralyze constructive action. Rather,
they should be incorporated into the perspective that an integrated,
sustainable and prosperous world will not be built by “us” working together
with “them”, but by all of us working on behalf of everyone.

The principle of the oneness of humankind
highlights the powerful connections found between raising the well-being of
people and reversing environmental degradation. It is true that the ecological
footprint of certain areas is far larger than that of others. This is a reality
that will need to be addressed through both voluntary choice and governmental
regulation. But equally important will be lifting billions out of poverty in
ways that not only reduce harm to the environment, but actively improve it.
Addressing social needs in the context of environmental ones responds to the
pressing moral imperatives of climate change. But its rationale is highly
pragmatic as well, for climate change calls for urgent action, and the
dividends of such steps are greater the sooner they are taken.

Efforts of this kind also lay a foundation for
valuing people and the planet as explicitly as profit has been. It is widely
recognized today that the single-minded pursuit of financial gain has all too
often led to the destruction of both natural systems and human lives. This
legacy has left deep ambivalence about the role the corporate sector and market
forces should play in sustainability efforts. Such questions are complex and
not simply answered. But what seems imperative is that good faith efforts be
integrated into a just global effort that avoids all forms of exclusion that
breeds opposition, hostility, defensiveness, and distrust.

Recasting Relationships for
a Sustainable Planet

The principle of the oneness of humankind has
implications for relationships at all levels. Individual choices and
governmental action are often subtly placed in opposition to one another,
suggesting that one or the other either takes or deserves precedence. In
reality, of course, both are needed. Agreements and protocols at the
governmental level will not be sufficient if individuals do not adopt more
sustainable lifestyles and behaviors. Similarly, individual actions alone, such
as conserving water and reducing waste, for instance, will not be sufficient if
governments do not make the necessary changes at the structural level. Also
crucial is the community which, as a distinct unit of civilization with its own
capacities and qualities, has a unique and vital role that cannot be
overlooked. Increasing integration between these three levels will be needed,
if long-lasting progress is to be achieved

What might this look like in practice?
Consumption habits provide a helpful illustration. People might be open to
recycling, for example, but live in areas without services such as drop-off
centers or community composting. Without appropriate supports from government,
then, possibilities for individual change are severely constrained.
Institutional action to create an enabling environment is needed. Government
has a vital role to enact the policies, laws, and regulations needed to support
the desired actions and behaviors.

This framework, however, merely sets the stage.
For ultimately it is individuals who take the initiative to adopt new patterns
of action or continue with business as usual. Human behavior and personal
decision-making are therefore critical to the success of sustainability
efforts, particularly in the sphere of values, ethics, and morals. Such
qualities might seem diffuse or somewhat “soft”, but changes in lifestyle will
not be sustained if normative drivers of behaviors such as attitudes and
beliefs do not shift as well. Consumption habits will not change if acquisition
and the ongoing accumulation of luxury goods are seen as powerful symbols of
success and importance. Building more sustainable patterns of life will
therefore require continuing conversation about human nature and the
prerequisites of well-being.

How do such conversations arise? Government can
contribute, through educational outreach and efforts to build commitment among
stakeholders. But the community has a vital role to play in allowing for
dialogue about choices and behavior. Are municipal or provincial policies on
water conservation welcomed as progress or treated as an unnecessary hassle?
Are collective decisions about infrastructure informed by a shared vision of
the future or do individuals mostly look out for themselves? The qualities of culture
that inform questions such as these arise within the context of community. The
community can provide an arena in which numerous participants, backgrounds,
talents, and efforts combine to achieve change and progress. It also provides a
key space in which consensus on shared goals and objectives can be reached and
a common vision of the future built among a population. The growing list of
cities taking far more robust action than their national governments on climate
issues is just one example of the power inherent in a community that is able to
pursue a common purpose through coordinated efforts.

Exploring new patterns of interaction among the
actors of society, such as individuals and institutions, will be central to the
task of building more sustainable relationships with the natural world and
among various segments of the global family. The work of addressing global
climate change ultimately revolves around the aim of human lives well lived,
which is a goal cherished by people and cultures the world over. In it can
therefore be found a powerful point of unity to support the work ahead. We
trust that the efforts of those at COP 21 will contribute to building a firm
foundation on which the well-being and prosperity of humanity can be ever more
effectively pursued for this and future generations.